ll that they contained he saw only fear; he saw nothing of
the hatred into which her love had been transmuted in that moment by
his unsparing insults to herself, her race and her home, by the purpose
which she clearly read in him.

"Whither?" he echoed, and sought to shake her off.

"Whither my Christian duty bids me."

It was enough for her. Before he could prevent or suspect her purpose,
she had snatched the heavy Toledo blade from his girdle, and armed with
it stood between the door and him.

"A moment, Don Rodrigo. Do not attempt to advance, or, as Heaven watches
us, I strike, and it maybe that I shall kill you. We must talk awhile
before you go."

Amazed, chapfallen, half-palsied, he stood before her, his fine
religious zeal wiped out by fear of that knife in her weak woman's hand.
Rapidly to-night was she coming into real knowledge of this Castilian
gentleman, whom with pride she had taken for her lover. It was a
knowledge that was to sear her presently with self-loathing and
self-contempt. But for the moment her only consideration was that, as a
direct result of her own wantonness, her father stood in mortal peril.
If he should perish through the deletion of this creature, she would
account herself his slayer.

"You have not considered that the deletion you intend will destroy my
father," she said quietly.

"There is my Christian duty to consider," answered he, but without
boldness now.

"Perhaps. But there is something you must set against it. Have you no
duty as a lover--no duty to me?"

"No earthly duty can weigh against a spiritual obligation...."

"Ah, wait! Have patience. You have not well considered, that is plain.
In coming here in secret you wronged my father. You will not trouble to
deny it.

"Jointly we wronged him, you and I. Will you then take advantage of
something learnt whilst you were hiding there like a thief from the
consequences of what you did, and so do him yet this further wrong?"

"Must I wrong my conscience?" he asked her sullenly.

"Indeed, I fear you must."

"Imperil my immortal soul?" He almost laughed.

"You talk in vain."

"But I have something more than words for you." With her left hand she
drew upon the fine gold chain about her neck, and brought forth a tiny
jewelled cross. Passing the chain over her head, she held it out.

"Take this," she bade him. "Take it, I say. Now, with that sacred symbol
in your hand, make solemn oath to divulge no word of what you h